ordered the course of the vessel to be
altered some points more to the westward. The night was very dark, and
the Lion was the only ship which carried a poop-lantern, so that the
parting company of the Dort was not perceived by the admiral and the
other ships of the fleet. When Philip went on deck next morning, he
found that their consorts were not in sight. He looked at the compass,
and perceiving that the course was altered, inquired at what hour and by
whose directions. Finding that it was by his superior officer, he of
course said nothing. When the commodore came on deck, he stated to
Philip that he felt himself warranted in not complying with the
admiral's orders, as it would have been sacrificing the whole ship's
company. This was, indeed, true.

In two days they made the land, and running into the shore, perceived a
large town and Spaniards on the beach. Then anchored at the mouth of
the river, and hoisted English colours, when a boat came on board to ask
them who they were and what they required? The commodore replied that
the vessel was English, for he knew that the hatred of the Spanish to
the Dutch was so great that, if known to belong to that nation, he would
have had no chance of procuring any supplies, except by force. He
stated that he had fallen in with a Spanish vessel, a complete wreck,
from the whole of the crew being afflicted with the scurvy; that he had
taken the men out, who were now in their hammocks below, as he
considered it cruel to leave so many of his fellow-creatures to perish,
and that he had come out of his course to land them at the first Spanish
fort he could reach. He requested that they would immediately send on
board vegetables and fresh provisions for the sick men, whom it would be
death to remove, until after a few days, when they would be a little
restored; and added, that in return for their assisting the Spaniards,
he trusted the governor would also send supplies for his own people.

This well made-up story was confirmed by the officer sent on board by
the Spanish governor. Being requested to go down below and see the
patients, the sight of so many poor fellows in the last stage of that
horrid disease--their teeth fallen out, gums ulcerated, bodies full of
tumours and sores--was quite sufficient; and hurrying up from the lower
deck, as he would have done from a charnel-house, the officer hastened
on shore and made his report.

In two hours a large boat was sent off